麻豆区

Woman found guilty of supporting proscribed terror group

A woman has been found guilty of showing support to a proscribed terrorist group following an investigation by officers from the Met鈥檚 Counter Terrorism Command.

The investigation was launched after members of the public referred social media posts to police.

In this case, the proscribed organisation is Hamas.

On 17 October 2023, a public referral was made into the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), over posts linked to a social media account that were allegedly showing support for Hamas.

Specialist officers in the CTIRU assessed the posts and found they could be in breach of terrorism legislation.

Sara El-Houssein was found guilty on Friday, 12 July at Westminster Magistrates鈥� Court of publishing an image of an article in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse a reasonable suspicion that she is a supporter of a proscribed organisation - namely Hamas - contrary to section 13(1A) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The 23-year-old is due to be sentenced on 20 August.

Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees, from the Met鈥檚 Counter Terrorism Command said: 鈥淪howing support for a terrorist organisation is a criminal offence, and is something we take seriously 鈥� whether it be online or in the real-world.

鈥淚n this case, the online posts were referred to our Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit. Specialist officers established the posts were potentially in breach of terrorism legislation and from the resulting investigation, we identified the person behind them and brought her to justice.

鈥淎ny content referred to us in this way will always be carefully assessed and where potential offences are identified, we will investigate and take action.鈥�